That’s not to say there isn’t a place for the dingy bowling alleys of our childhoods. Some prefer no-frills bowling that doesn’t involve a dress code or pricey cocktails.
From the fanciest frames to the down and dirty lanes, these are the best bowling alleys in South Florida.
1. Kings Dining and Entertainment. It’s good to be Kings. The 20,000-square-foot bowling alley in Doral has just about everything you could ask for, with 14 lanes and plenty of amenities you never knew you needed. A private karaoke suite? Nice!
2. Basement Miami. For the Miami-est bowling experience, there’s the four-lane bowling alley in Basement Miami nightclub. The balls are luminescent, the shoes were custom designed by artists, the lighting synchronizes with each bowler’s movements and the drinks aren’t exactly cheap. Hell, the bowling alley is so Miami that Pitbull filmed a music video there. Basement Miami is also a favorite hangout for Drake, who has been known to rent out the joint when in town. But don’t let all that intimidate you. There’s a more playful vibe here than you’ll typically find in Miami Beach. At Basement’s National Bowling Day celebration, for example, The Big Lebowski will be shown on the projector screen and, appropriately enough, white Russians will be available for $10. Show up in a robe and you’ll be drinking slushies for free all night. “The Dude” would abide. 2901 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 786-257 4548; basementmiami.com.
3. Bird Bowl. This nostalgic Bird Road bowling alley, with its blue checkered floors, is among the last of a dying breed. While new bowling alleys are taking over with excessive amenities to attract upscale clientele, the no-frills Bird Bowl, which opened in 1956, has mostly kept it old skool. This is the place where bowlers go
4. Bowlero. Specials are aplenty at this 34-lane blacklight bowling alley in Dolphin Mall. There’s an unlimited bowling special on Mondays and unlimited laser tag special on Tuesdays. Laser tag! Up to 24 people can suit up at a time. Groups can also take advantage of Bowlero’s ridiculous "Oversized Sharables" menu options, which include a two-foot Chi-Town MegaDog, five-pound Behemoth Burger, eight-pound Beast Burrito, and two-liter Pepto-Bismol bottle (OK, we made that last one up). Not one to miss out on a promotional opportunity, Bowlero will celebrate National Bowling Day by offering guests one free game of bowling on Saturday for downloading its BowlMojis sticker pack for iPhone. 11401 NW 12th St., Miami; 305-594-0200; bowlero.com.
5. Strike 10 Bowling. What kind of bowling alley has a hookah lounge? Probably the kind that realizes the importance of standing out in a competitive industry. Besides a hookah menu with flavors such as Pumpkin Spice and Caramel Apple, this luxury bowling alley in Hallandale Beach offers a 50-foot bar and 30 HD TVs to watch the game. What about the children? Strike 10 thought about them too with its pair of